1) What these documents are (and what notarization actually does)

Accident Waiver

An accident waiver is a written undertaking where a person agrees to assume certain risks and, to some extent, waives or limits potential claims arising from an activity or event (e.g., sports, company outings, recreational facilities, training programs).

Release of Liability / Waiver and Release / Quitclaim

A release of liability (often called a waiver and release, release of claims, or quitclaim) is a written instrument where a person releases another person or entity from liability arising from an accident or incident—usually in exchange for something (payment, medical assistance, settlement amount, or other consideration), or as a condition to participation.

What notarization does

Notarization generally:

Verifies the identity of the signer(s) through competent evidence of identity (government-issued IDs, etc.).
Confirms personal appearance and that the document is signed/acknowledged before the notary.
Converts the document into a public document, which tends to be easier to use as evidence and is presumed regular on its face.

Notarization does not automatically:

Make an unfair waiver “valid”
Prove the statements in the document are true
Cure illegal terms
Protect parties from liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud, or violations of law/public policy

2) Legal framework you should know (in plain terms)

A) Notarial rules: core requirements

In the Philippines, a commissioned notary public must follow strict rules, including:

Personal appearance of the signatory (no “pa-notaryo lang” without the signer present)
Proper identification
The document must be complete, with no blanks that can be later filled in
The notary must record the act in a notarial register
The notary must attach or note required details and apply the notarial seal

A notary generally must refuse notarization when:

The signer is not present
The signer cannot be properly identified
The document is incomplete or suspicious
The notary is disqualified (e.g., conflicts/relationship restrictions)

B) Contract principles: freedom—within limits

Waivers and releases rely on contract principles, but Philippine law generally does not allow agreements that are contrary to law, morals, good customs, public order, or public policy. In practice, this matters because:

A waiver may be enforceable for ordinary risks/ordinary negligence in certain contexts
But waivers commonly fail (in whole or in part) if they attempt to excuse gross negligence, intentional wrongdoing, fraud, or statutory duties

C) Special caution: employment-related accidents

When a waiver/release is used in a labor context (e.g., employee injured at work, or settlement with an employee), “quitclaims” are often examined closely. Authorities typically look for:

Voluntariness
Adequate consideration (fair settlement amount, not token)
No coercion, deception, or undue pressure
Clarity that the worker understood the terms

A notarized quitclaim can still be set aside if circumstances show unfairness or lack of genuine consent.

3) When notarization is required vs. merely recommended

Not always legally required

A waiver or release can be valid as a private document even without notarization.

Why people notarize anyway

Notarization is often used because it:

Strengthens evidentiary weight (public document)
Reduces disputes about authenticity/signature
Helps institutions (insurers, hospitals, companies) accept the document
Supports enforceability in practical settings (claims processing, settlements, internal compliance)

Common situations where notarization is expected

Settlement of accident claims with payment
Releases involving significant sums
Releases involving minors/guardianship issues
Corporate signatories or formal undertakings
Documents intended for use in court, government offices, or insurance processing

4) The notarial act matters: acknowledgment vs. jurat

Notary fees often depend on the type of notarization:

Acknowledgment (most common for waivers/releases)

The signer declares they signed voluntarily and that the document is their act/deed. This is typical for:

Waiver and release of liability
Deed-like instruments
Settlement releases

Jurat (common for affidavits)

The signer swears the contents are true. This is typical for:

Affidavit of undertaking
Affidavit of desistance (different from a release, though sometimes related)
Affidavit of explanation

Many “accident waiver” packets are actually a mix (a release + undertakings + affidavits). Fees can increase if multiple notarial acts are needed.

5) Notary fees in the Philippines: what “all there is to know” really means

A) There isn’t one uniform, always-followed price

In real-world Philippine practice, notarial fees vary widely because:

Different localities and markets have different prevailing rates
Some offices publish a standard schedule; others follow customary pricing
Complexity, number of signatories, and urgency change the fee

So the best way to think about notary fees is: base fee + drivers.

B) Typical fee drivers for accident waivers/releases

Expect the fee to increase with:

Number of signatories

One document with 2–10 signers is more work: ID checks, register entries, signatures, thumbmarks, etc.

Number of pages and attachments

Multiple pages, annexes (medical records summary, incident report), IDs attached, settlement computations, special authorities.

Multiple copies

“3 original copies” means three sets each signed and sealed; many notaries charge per original.

Special signers

Illiterate signers, elderly signers, those who sign by mark, or those needing witnesses/interpreters.

Corporate party

A corporation signing through an officer often requires supporting documents (board resolution/secretary’s certificate, proof of authority).

Mobile/notary-on-site

Travel time, transport, and scheduling premium.

Urgent / after-hours / weekend

Rush convenience fee is common.

Drafting

Notarization is different from drafting. If you ask the notary (or lawyer) to prepare the waiver/release, that’s typically a separate professional fee.

C) “Going rates” you may encounter (practical—not an official tariff)

Because rates vary by area and provider, these figures are best treated as common market ranges people often see for standard documents:

Simple waiver/release, 1–2 signers, 1–2 pages (acknowledgment): often a few hundred pesos to around the low thousands depending on location
Multiple signers / multiple originals / mobile notarization: can rise substantially
With drafting or legal consult: usually higher (and properly so)

If you are dealing with a large group waiver (e.g., 30 participants for an event), some offices quote package pricing based on headcount and whether each participant signs individually.

Key takeaway: If your waiver/release involves settlement money, multiple parties, or legal risk, the more important issue is not saving ₱200–₱500, but ensuring the document is properly structured and notarized correctly.

6) What you should be paying for (and what you shouldn’t)

A) Legitimate components of notarial service

A proper notarization includes:

Confirming identity using valid IDs
Confirming the signer’s personal appearance and willingness
Administering acknowledgment/jurat
Recording in the notarial register
Affixing seal and completing notarial certificate

B) Common “extra” charges that may be legitimate

Extra originals
Extra signers
Mobile service
After-hours service
Extensive attachments handling
Document printing (minor)

C) Red flags (do not proceed)

“Send a photo of your ID and I’ll notarize—no need to appear.”
Notary is willing to notarize a blank or incomplete document.
Notary asks you to sign on their behalf or pre-sign.
Notary suggests using someone else’s ID or “kahit ano lang.”

Improper notarization can create serious problems: the document may be attacked in court, and the notary may face sanctions.

7) Accident waivers/releases: validity issues that affect how you draft (and thus, fees)

Notary fees are one piece; enforceability is another. Drafting matters when:

A) You’re waiving future claims vs. releasing past claims

Waiver (future-oriented): “I assume risk and waive claims arising from participation.”
Release (past-oriented): “I release X from liability for the incident that occurred on [date].”

Mixing these without clear language can create ambiguity.

B) You’re releasing only civil liability, not criminal liability

Private documents can compromise civil aspects, but criminal liability is generally not “waived” by private agreement. A release may influence willingness to pursue a complaint, but it’s not a magic eraser of criminal accountability.

C) You’re dealing with minors

Minors generally cannot validly bind themselves the same way adults do. If the injured person or participant is a minor:

A parent/guardian’s participation is essential
Proof of authority/relationship may be needed
The substance must still be fair and lawful

D) You’re in a labor/workplace setting

If the release is tied to an employee injury:

A “quitclaim” is scrutinized for fairness and voluntariness
Consideration should be clear and reasonable
The employee should have the chance to understand the document

These drafting complexities often lead to higher preparation fees (separate from notarization).

8) Practical checklist before you go to a notary

Bring:

The complete document (no blanks)
The signers themselves (everyone who must sign)
At least one or two valid government IDs per signer (name should match the document)
If a representative is signing: authorization (SPA, board resolution/secretary certificate, proof of authority)
If the signer is unable to sign normally: required witnesses and arrangements (the notary will guide this)

Confirm:

Whether it’s an acknowledgment or jurat
How many original copies you need
Whether the receiving office (insurance/company) has format requirements

9) How to ask for a quote (so you don’t get surprises)

When you inquire, specify:

Type of document: “Waiver and Release of Liability (acknowledgment)”
Pages: “2 pages plus 1-page annex”
Signers: “3 signers”
Originals: “2 original copies”
Location: “In-office or mobile?”
Timing: “Regular hours or urgent?”

This yields accurate pricing and avoids misunderstandings.

10) FAQs

Is notarization mandatory for an accident waiver?

Not always. It’s often done to strengthen proof and satisfy institutional requirements.

Does notarization make the waiver ironclad?

No. Courts can still strike down illegal or unfair provisions. Notarization mainly strengthens authenticity and evidentiary standing.

Can a notary refuse to notarize my release?

Yes—especially if IDs are insufficient, the signer isn’t present, the document is incomplete, or there’s a disqualifying conflict.

Can I notarize online or via video call?

As a rule, notarization is grounded on personal appearance requirements. If you see “remote notarization” being offered casually without strict compliance, treat it with caution.

If the other party already signed elsewhere, can I just notarize my signature?

Sometimes you can notarize separately if the document format allows it (or through counterparts), but many releases are intended to be signed together. Ask the receiving entity what they accept.

11) Bottom line

Notary fees for accident waivers and releases in the Philippines are driven less by the title of the document and more by: number of signers, originals, complexity, location (mobile vs. office), urgency, and whether you need drafting.

If the document will affect significant rights (especially settlements, workplace injuries, or serious harm), it’s worth having the text reviewed by counsel before notarization—not because notarization is complicated, but because a poorly written release can fail even if perfectly notarized.